What if you do not wish to take up the IELTS test, or if you do not achieve well in an IELTS exam? Study in UK without IELTS is the latest trend gaining popularity among international students. But how?
Read the blog and explore the ways in which you can enroll without IELTS in UK universities.
Table of Content
1Is IELTS mandatory for UK Student Visa2List of UK Universities without IELTS3Study in UK without IELTS Requirements4How to apply in UK universities without IELTS5What is the alternative to IELTS for UK6Scholarships in UK without IELTS Requirement7Conclusion8Frequently Asked Questions
Is IELTS mandatory for UK Student Visa
NO, the IELTS is not mandatory for the students seeking a UK student visa.
Without IELTS, universities in UK are ready to accept the foreign students to study. IELTS is the most widely recognized English language test. It tests reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and provides a proof of whether you can study and live in an English-speaking country like the UK.
IELTS is the most common way of showing your English proficiency but if you do not wish to take the test there are alternate options to study in the UK without IELTS. This is a remarkable advantage for the students wishing to study in the UK when they are not confident about the IELTS score.
List of UK Universities without IELTS
With IELTS not a necessary requirement for UK education, there is a huge list of universities in UK for international students offering education programs that consider alternate requirements.
| UK UNIVERSITY | QS RANKING |
|---|---|
| University Of Bristol | #54 |
| University Of Warwick | #69 |
| University Of Birmingham | #80 |
| University Of York | #184 |
| Northumbria University | #535 |
| Aston University | #423 |
| Swansea University | #298 |
| University Of Essex | #472 |
| University Of Plymouth | #661 |
| University Of Greenwich | #691 – 700 |
| University Of Portsmouth | #631 – 640 |
| Robert Gordon University | #901 – 950 |
| Birmingham City University | #1001 – 1200 |
Study in UK without IELTS Requirements
You can study in UK without IELTS but are expected to submit alternate requirements. This can vary in different universities in the UK. Although you don’t need to provide an IELTS score, universities will expect you to prove your language proficiency through other means.
Here are the generally asked requirements.
- Based on previous education: A minimum score of 70% in English in 10th and 12th is required as a proof of language proficiency.
- If you have completed your higher secondary education or degree in English taught institutions, this can be considered as proof of your language proficiency in English.
- There are some cases where students coming from an English speaking country are accepted by universities.
- Alternative assessment methods : Some universities conduct online interviews to assess your English speaking skills on how well you can communicate in English.
- TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge English Exams like Cambridge Advanced or Cambridge Proficiency, are the alternate assessment ways of IELTS. These are widely accepted in recent years by the UK universities.
- Preparatory programs : There are universities offering pre-sessional courses to improve English language speaking skills. This can last up to 4 months.
- Many universities have foundation programs designed to prepare students for their degree courses which include language training. It acts as a bridging course between high school and university.
- Work experience : Some universities ask for related work experience in an English speaking country which helps you to waive IELTS requirements. Through this you are asked to prove your command of the English language.
Documents Required
- Academic transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Medium of instruction certificate
- Experience letter (if any work experience)
- Confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS certificate)
- Financial proof
- Birth certificate
*These are general requirements and can vary in different universities. Make sure to check the university website you choose for higher studies and take a look at the eligibility criteria.
How to apply in UK Universities without IELTS
It is very important to be aware of the application process when choosing to study in UK without IELTS. Here is a step-by-step process to apply for UK study visa :
- Shortlist the universities : Begin by researching and shortlist the universities that accept alternative qualifications for English language proficiency like TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge English exams.
- Compile your documents : Gather all the necessary documents including language proficiency proof.
- Start application process : Go through the application guidelines provided by each university carefully, and submit all the documents. The guidelines will differ in each university and follow accordingly.
Check the application deadlines and provide accurate information in the application process.
Once you get selected by the university, start the visa application process with the offer letter received. For well-organized guidance, choose CanApprove Consultancy as your study abroad partner and start your journey without any delay.
What is the Alternative to IELTS for UK
As we have seen in the previous section, IELTS is not the only option universities prefer. There are alternatives for English proficiency instead of submitting IELTS scores. Let’s consider some of them to study in UK without IELTS.
- TOEFL : Test Of English as a Foreign Language is a widely accepted alternative test for IELTS. It mainly focuses on four areas of reading, speaking, listening and writing. Over 150 universities in the UK accept TOEFL scores for enrolling foreign study
- Pearson PTE Academic Test : This is another strong alternative to IELTS. It is a computer-based language test approved by most of the UK universities. It has three sections: speaking and writing combined, reading and listening.
- The Cambridge English Exams(C1 &C2) : C1 Advanced is an excellent choice if you are targeting high-level and professional applications. Accepted over 1000 institutions in the UK, this is a well established English qualification. C2 proficiency signifies that you are proficient in the English language. It means that you are fluent in communicating in English.
- Medium Of English Language : This is a benefit for those who studied in English medium institutions. You can apply to the universities in the UK that accept the medium of English language. There is no need to take other language proficiency tests like TOEFL, PTE, OET.
- The Occupational English Test (OET) : This is an alternative option for healthcare professionals to assess their communication skills. If you wish to study abroad in the health sector, OET is the suitable alternative to IELTS.
- The Duolingo English Test (DET) : This alternative gives you the convenience of taking the test by sitting at home. More than 2000 universities worldwide accept this test score and includes speaking, listening, reading and writing with an online interview segment.
- The Password English Test : It is a test opted by many universities and colleges in the UK. The exam spans up to 3 hours and includes reading, writing, speaking and listening along with a grammar test. It is an online mode of test delivered under certain conditions verified by the Password invigilation system.
Scholarships in UK without IELTS Requirement
Scholarship grant you access to UK universities without any financial hurdles. Scholarships are available to study in UK for Indian students. Here we have got some top scholarship options to help international students to achieve their dreams to study in UK without IELTS.
| SCHOLARSHIP | ELIGIBILITY |
|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship |
|
| GREAT Scholarship |
|
| Commonwealth Scholarships |
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| Rhodes Scholarship |
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| Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship |
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Conclusion
Studying in UK has been some of our dreams and that too without any language barriers. The UK has opted various methods like waiving the IELTS requirement for those who wish to pursue their education in top-notch universities. And also they have introduced alternative methods for proving the English proficiency which is easy when compared to IELTS.
Hope you have gone through the blog and made the best use of your valuable time for an informed decision. For expert counselling and guidance Contact CanApprove, your trusted study abroad partner.
